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Hi all,
An essay follows here. whew!
I am getting an MSPH in Epi this May and have applied to a PhD program, as well and the CA-applied epi service, the CDC/CSTE applied epi (don't have high hopes for obtaining this one), and an EPA fellowship (unsure about the likelihood of this one). I have interviewed in the Cal-eis program and think i can get into it. I also am confident I can get into the PhD program. I realize its probably better to continue a PhD program at a different school, but the collaboration I'm working with is reeeaaally cool, so if I'd do it, I'd do it where I'm at. I would get guaranteed funding for the whole time as well.
My question is "Do I really want a PhD?"
Concerns:
One primary one is job prospects. Is it harder to obtain a position with a PhD, since the demand for less qualified individuals may be higher? Of course the salaries will be higher, but I do enjoy stability and generally being more in demand can give one more choices in the future.
Another concern is the stress level and time commitments. I see my professors and wonder if I'll ever really want to be like them. I enjoy an interesting career (the whole reason I'm considering the PhD), but I'm also the type that very much likes to have a life outside of my career. If I work for gov't or something will the time demands be regular?
Another concern is the actual activities I'd be doing. What are likely the differences between the two after graduation? I enjoy very much the typical research activities: lit searching, writing manuscripts, analyses and programming, etc... Although I'm not so big on presenting. I realize that PhDs will be more likely to follow their study interests, and while I like that, the more important aspects of a job include the actual day to day tasks. I'm actually a good worker bee and its the methods of my job that matter more rather than the facts (ie research topics/subjects, etc...)
Any suggestions appreciated!
An essay follows here. whew!
I am getting an MSPH in Epi this May and have applied to a PhD program, as well and the CA-applied epi service, the CDC/CSTE applied epi (don't have high hopes for obtaining this one), and an EPA fellowship (unsure about the likelihood of this one). I have interviewed in the Cal-eis program and think i can get into it. I also am confident I can get into the PhD program. I realize its probably better to continue a PhD program at a different school, but the collaboration I'm working with is reeeaaally cool, so if I'd do it, I'd do it where I'm at. I would get guaranteed funding for the whole time as well.
My question is "Do I really want a PhD?"
Concerns:
One primary one is job prospects. Is it harder to obtain a position with a PhD, since the demand for less qualified individuals may be higher? Of course the salaries will be higher, but I do enjoy stability and generally being more in demand can give one more choices in the future.
Another concern is the stress level and time commitments. I see my professors and wonder if I'll ever really want to be like them. I enjoy an interesting career (the whole reason I'm considering the PhD), but I'm also the type that very much likes to have a life outside of my career. If I work for gov't or something will the time demands be regular?
Another concern is the actual activities I'd be doing. What are likely the differences between the two after graduation? I enjoy very much the typical research activities: lit searching, writing manuscripts, analyses and programming, etc... Although I'm not so big on presenting. I realize that PhDs will be more likely to follow their study interests, and while I like that, the more important aspects of a job include the actual day to day tasks. I'm actually a good worker bee and its the methods of my job that matter more rather than the facts (ie research topics/subjects, etc...)
Any suggestions appreciated!
